Tourism recovery reason for hope

GARDEN ROUTE NEWS - Western Cape tourism statistics released in April by Wesgro show a return to pre-Covid visitor numbers to the province in the first quarter of 2022, with the Garden Route & Klein Karoo region also getting its share in the growth.

According to Wesgro's February Air Access Update, George Airport's domestic terminal has shown a consistent recovery through 2020 and into the first quarter of 2022, with January and February experiencing an 86% and 87% recovery respectively.

"In these two months alone, 111 191 passengers have travelled through the terminal. The preliminary data set for 1 to 6 March 2022 depicts that this positive growth will continue as shown by the 92% passenger recovery compared to the same period in 2019," says Wesgro.

George Airport manager Brenda Vorster said she is "ecstatic" at the growth in both passenger numbers and flights. "However, what remains a priority is the health and safety of our passengers, and ensuring a great passenger experience.

"As an airport we are cautiously optimistic that the growth will continue, as we welcome passengers to the beautiful Garden Route."

Hotel occupancy doubles
The February Wesgro Tourism Research Overview shows that hotel occupancy in the province more than doubled from 23% in February 2021 to 60% in February 2022. This is a recovery rate of 75% when compared to February 2019.

"Domestic tourists to the Western Cape spent the longest time in the Garden Route & Klein Karoo (3,2 days). Nearly 70% of sampled domestic tourists stayed overnight in the Garden Route & Klein Karoo, which is higher than the general average for the province (52,2%)," reads the overview.

Among international tourists, 27,5% visitors to the Garden Route & Klein Karoo region and 50,4% of domestic visitors did repeat visits.

Attractions in the province also saw steep growth. In the Garden Route & Klein Karoo, Wilderness National Park had an 87% recovery in visitor numbers in February 2022 compared to February 2019.

There was a 56% increase compared to February 2021.

The Cango Caves saw a 21% recovery from February 2019 and a 190% growth in visitors compared to February 2021.

Tsitsikamma National Park had a 37% recovery compared to 2019 and Knysna National Park a 97% recovery in February 2022 compared to February 2019.

"Shopping and markets was the most popular type of attraction among both domestic and international tourists. Natural attractions, especially Table Mountain and Cape Point, were popular among both domestic and international tourists. The Knysna Waterfront was popular among domestic visitors who spent a lot of time here," states the overview.

George, Wilderness establishments happy with occupancy
Leon de Kock, operational manager at Wilderness Hotel, told George Herald they have experienced a definite upswing since December. "It is still only South Africans. We had two buses with overseas tourists since December compared to the four buses per day that we were used to. But occupancy is definitely much, much better and that is applicable overall in our hotel group, which includes Oakhurst, The Point and Oceans hotels.

"We are back to 2018's figures, but not yet 2019, when we had a very good year."

Elize Healey, manager of Lord Caledon Guest House in George, said they are grateful that business has picked up significantly. "We receive more corporate clients - sales representatives that are again allowed to see their branches and clients. We have also been fortunate to accommodate visitors who have visited for sporting events such as golf tours and swimming, as well as school sport, which was great for business. We are about 50% to 60% up from last year, but not yet back to pre-Covid figures. I am positive though that we can reach those levels again if there is not another lockdown."

Comment from the George Tourism office:

George Tourism manager Joan Shaw said they were "thrilled" at Wesgro’s stats that were presented at their recent regional Tourism Office meeting. The Tourism Office invited Wesgro’s air access team to present the good news statistics at a Tourism Member Conference at the Dotsure George Arts Theatre on Wednesday 20 April.

"Since George Airport shares statistics with our office directly, we have indeed noticed the rapid recovery in especially domestic flights. George Airport services the entire Garden Route, and we have had an excellent bounce-back of visitors that started before the December holidays and has continued well into this year. This is also showing in our business venues being well booked, our accommodation statistics, and rate at which families moving to George are purchasing houses, to settle or commute. This in turn will have a spin-off effect as more friends and family consider holidays or moves to our beautiful area.”

George Airport has seen a significant increase in passenger numbers.